STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's been a month now since Cafe Del Mondo announced it would close for renovations. As of August 1, it has not reopened. But owner Jimmy Markos assures he'll be back in business...when he's ready.

"The restaurant will be going through a total renovation including the kitchen, dining room, all restrooms, private party room and outside entrance," explained owner Jimmy Markos.

"The majority of the wait staff and kitchen staff have been replaced already or will be before reopening," said Jimmy. He's hired a new chef who has trained in Rome.

"Any new menu changes will be at his discretion," said Jimmy.

"There is no time table for the completion of work or reopening as we want to take our time and do it right," he concluded.

The restaurant touts itself as "one of the best Italian restaurants around" on its website. Whether true or not, at 27 years in business, the Italian restaurant is among Staten Island's longest running eateries. Signature dishes over the years have included fried garlic cloves offered in oil for bread-dunking and hot zeppoli coated table-side in powdered sugar. It recently introduced pizza to its expansive roster of Italian fare.